The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is preparing to mark an extraordinary milestone as it celebrates its 150th birthday, with its enduring legacy continuing to captivate dog lovers across America and beyond. What began as a modest gathering of gentlemen hunters comparing their prized canines has transformed into what is now widely recognised as the "World Series of dogdom" or the "Super Bowl of dog shows."
From Humble Beginnings to National Phenomenon
When Gilded Age gentlemen first organised a New York event to showcase their hunting dogs in 1877, they could scarcely have imagined it would evolve into America's premier canine competition. At that time, iconic American landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and Statue of Liberty didn't exist, nor did major sporting events like the World Series or Super Bowl. Yet the Westminster Kennel Club's dog show has not only survived but thrived, now preparing for its 150th annual edition.
"The trappings, the window dressing, you know, changes over time. But what's at the core, what's the heart of it, which is the love of dogs ... that has been the same," reflects club President Donald Sturz, emphasising the competition's remarkable longevity through changing eras.
A Name with Historical Roots
The show's distinctive name originates from the Westminster Hotel, a favoured establishment where the founders would gather at the bar to discuss their canine companions. Though the hotel itself has long since disappeared, its moniker has remained permanently attached to this celebrated event.
The Evolution of Scale and Standards
The inaugural "First Annual New York Bench Show of Dogs" in 1877 was already a substantial affair, featuring approximately 1,200 dogs across dozens of breeds ranging from pugs to mastiffs. Among the notable entries was an English setter valued at $5,000, an astronomical sum when the average labourer in New York earned around $1.30 per day.
Contemporary reports from The Associated Press noted that "the bulldogs are represented by a number of noticeable delegates," while a family of "Japanese spaniels" was described as "highly amusing." Though not America's first dog show, Westminster's scale and impact ensured its survival, with only the Kentucky Derby boasting a longer unbroken annual history among American sporting events.
Modern Competition and Formalisation
This year's Westminster show will feature 2,500 dogs representing up to 212 breeds and 10 "varieties" – subsets like smooth versus wirehaired dachshunds. Many of these breeds were either not present in the United States in 1877 or had not yet been developed through selective breeding programmes.
As Sturz points out, many breeds remain largely consistent with their early Westminster counterparts, though minor details such as muzzle length or coat thickness have evolved in some breeds. Improved canine nutrition may have contributed to "a little bit more size, or a little more bone" in others. Today, all competing canines hold champion rankings within a formalised sport governed by a complex point system and official "standards" for judging each breed.
Maintaining Tradition in a Changing World
From its inception, the Westminster show exuded an air of refinement and sophistication. "Everybody was fashionably dressed and wore an air of good breeding," The New York Times observed of the 1877 event, referring to the spectators rather than the animals. Not to be outdone, some dogs were also adorned with lace collars and ribbons, establishing traditions that continue today.
Over the decades, the event has attracted entries from foreign royals, American tycoons, and modern celebrities including Martha Stewart and Tim McGraw. A long list of professional athletes, from baseball's Lou Gehrig and Barry Bonds to the NFL's Morgan Fox, have cheered on their animals at the prestigious competition.
Accessibility Within Elitism
Westminster has carried a distinct sense of bygone, clubby gentility into the 21st century. Handlers typically wear suits and dresses, while upper-round judges don black tie, underscoring the competition's serious nature. Many top contenders arrive with hired professional handlers and show records built through extensive travel and strategic advertising in dog magazines.
Yet numerous participants handle their own dogs, coming from diverse backgrounds including policing, medicine, the military, and corporate roles. Some of the animals themselves also serve in working capacities, including bomb-sniffing and search-and-rescue operations.
"It's an elite event, but it's one that we want everyone to feel that they can access and be a part of," says Sturz, a clinical psychologist and retired school district superintendent who emphasises the inclusive spirit beneath the formal exterior.
Venue History and Media Evolution
Westminster first took place at Gilmore's Garden, a precursor to today's Madison Square Garden. Almost every subsequent show has been held in some iteration of the building, even after a tragic incident when a section collapsed shortly before the 1880 show, killing four people including a Westminster official.
Next week's semi-finals and Best in Show finals, scheduled for late Tuesday, will be staged in the present-day Garden. From the outset, the show has drawn thousands of spectators in person, with millions more tuning in via television since the late 1940s, and even larger audiences accessing the event through modern streaming services today.
Cultural Impact and Satirical Representation
Beyond live broadcasts, Westminster has found its way onto the silver screen through Christopher Guest's cult-classic 2000 mockumentary, Best in Show, which satirised the world of dog competitions through its portrayal of obsessives and eccentrics at the fictional "Mayflower" dog show in Philadelphia. Guest conducted extensive research at Westminster for the film, capturing both the dedication and occasional eccentricities of participants.
As with any effective satire, the representation is "sort of" accurate. While circulating at Westminster, one might indeed encounter intensely focused individuals primping and presenting their animals, but one will also witness competitors cheering for each other, sharing expertise, and interacting playfully with their cherished pets.
The film elicited mixed feelings among show participants, but it undeniably helped broaden Westminster's audience, according to David Frei, who hosted the show broadcast from 1990 to 2016. "They didn't make fun of the dogs," Frei noted. "They just made fun of the people."
Contemporary Challenges and Welfare Commitments
As Westminster's prominence has grown, it has inevitably become a focal point for criticisms that dog breeding sometimes prioritises aesthetics over health. As early as 1937, some show-goers questioned the health implications of collies' narrow heads and long noses, an issue reported by the AP at the time.
In recent years, animal welfare activists have occasionally infiltrated the ring or demonstrated on the sidelines. This year, PETA has erected billboards near the venues highlighting the breathing difficulties faced by flat-faced dogs, and supporters carrying oxygen tanks plan to protest outside.
"Westminster has had countless opportunities to evolve, yet it clings to an outdated obsession with aesthetics," a PETA staff writer stated in a recent op-ed, reflecting ongoing debates about breeding practices.
Philanthropic Legacy and Response
Sturz, however, asserts that the club "has a longstanding history of showing its commitment to dog welfare." He highlights the organisation's contributions to veterinary scholarships, pet-friendly domestic violence shelters, rescue groups, and other canine causes.
These philanthropic ties date back to 1877, when some proceeds from the first Westminster show helped the nation's oldest humane society, the ASPCA, construct its initial shelter. This early commitment to animal welfare established a pattern of giving that continues to characterise the organisation's approach to its canine responsibilities.
As the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show celebrates its 150th anniversary, it stands as a remarkable American institution that has evolved while maintaining its core dedication to celebrating canine excellence and companionship. From its Gilded Age origins to its modern televised spectacle, Westminster continues to capture the nation's imagination while navigating contemporary debates about animal welfare and breeding practices.
